02 January 2019

UH Bristol is now smoke free

Patients, visitors and staff are not permitted to smoke anywhere
on our premises, including inside the buildings and outside within
our boundaries (signified by a white painted line on the ground).
E-cigarettes are also not permitted anywhere on Trust premises.

The Trust will be holding regular walkabouts to ask people to
stop smoking within the Trust's boundaries. Smokers will also be
signposted to support and advice to quit smoking.

Ros Badman, clinical nurse specialist for respiratory at UH
Bristol, added: "As health professionals working for the NHS we
have a moral imperative to do all we can to help people give up
smoking and increase their chance of living longer, healthier
lives.

"By making the Trust a supportive smoke free environment where
treatment of tobacco dependence is fully integrated into clinical
pathways, we can support everyone to be smoke free.

"Please do not smoke outside our hospitals; the NHS exists to
look after people's health. Even smoking outside can harm our
patients by delaying their recovery time or causing complications,
as well as those visiting and working in NHS buildings.

"Every time you smoke you breathe out second hand smoke. Around
85% of second hand smoke is invisible and odourless, yet it can
spread through windows, doors and ventilation shafts, harming those
inside. We also know that one person smoking will make someone else
more likely to light up too."

Matt Joint, director of people at UH Bristol, said: "As a
healthcare provider we have a role to play in promoting healthy
living and offering support to staff and patients who want to give
up smoking.

"We receive regular complaints from patients, visitors, parents
of children and staff about people smoking in our entrances or near
buildings where windows might be open and as a healthcare provider
it's important that we address these issues."

If you would like information about quitting smoking please:

Visit UH Bristol's smoke free webpages
which includes FAQs and what the Trust being smoke free means for
you if you're a patient or visitor